Stuart Ross, estranged father-in-law of Blackstone Senior MD David Blitzer, was arrested yesterday, charged with trying to extort millions from his son-in-law. The 71 year-old former licenser of the Smurfs cartoon who along the way lost much fo his fortune, insists Blackstone worked with the Manhattan DA to ruin him. Says a firm spokesman, “Utter nonsense.” Sorry Stewie, Schwartzman and Company are far from being your Gargamel.

A man accused of trying to extort millions of dollars from his son-in-law, an executive of the Blackstone Group LP on Wednesday blamed the private equity firm for his "malicious" arrest and charges.

The case in New York State Supreme Court against Stuart Ross, estranged father-in-law of Blackstone Senior Managing Director David Blitzer, was adjourned until September 23 to give Ross time to find an attorney.

But outside the courtroom, Ross, 71, said he believed that Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau brought the charges against him and his friend Stuart Jackson, 79, "at the behest of Blackstone to attempt to crush two innocent individuals."

Asked for comment, Blackstone Group spokesman Peter Rose said, "That is utter nonsense."

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